Marine National Park, Gujarat
Area of the Park: 163 sq km
Year of Establishment: 1982
Best season to visit: From October to the end of February
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Regarded as the first Marine Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park in India, Marine National Park is a wonderful national park in Jamnagar district of Gujarat. The park is located in the intertidal zone, between the lowest and highest tide levels. This is the first park in the country where one can have a glimpse of coral without having to dive into the sea. The park comprises an archipelago of 42 islands with the prominent ones being Karubhar, Pirotan, Narara, and Poshitra. While during high tide the area gets submerged the same gets exposed during low tide. As a result, one gets the chance to observe the richest diversity of marine life in the country.
Uniqueness of Marine National Park
- Stunning coral reef is knitted with around 37 species of hard and soft corals
- The Marine National Park also accommodates 70 species of sponges
- 27 different species of prawns are found in this park
- 30 species of crabs are seen in different corners of this costal park
- 200 species of Molluscs are found here
- Endangered species of sea turtles like the Oliver Riddley, Green sea, and Leather Back are a specialty of this park
- Around 3 species of sea mammals are found in the Marine Park
- 94 species of aquatic birds are found here making it an ideal place for an excellent photo-session
- 78 species of terrestrial birds are available in Marine National Park of Gujrat.
- 108 species of green, brown, and red algae are found which look like a beautiful work of art
- The islands offer nice options to laze around on its sandy beaches
Attraction
The world of fantasy created by the presence of coral and stones mesmerizes the visitors. Wonderful sea creatures like giant sea anemone, flower like insects, harbor shrimps, starfish, octopus, puffer fish and several other sea animals float under your feet. While walking on the heart of the sea one can also have a glimpse of sea cucumber, jellyfish, sea-slugs, sea urchins, echinoderms, mudskippers, crabs and several other creatures which have their own natural colour and you would feel like you are witnessing the beauty of a natural aquarium.
There are fishes which puff-up when disturbed, octopuses which change colour with the changing colour and texture of the surroundings, and Gobis which clean parasites from the skin of other fish.
Birds like the Great Indian Bustard, Painted Stork, Darter and Black-necked Ibis are found in this region in good numbers. These birds are declared as threatened species and Marine National Park functions as a safe shelter for them. There are around 80 recorded species of birds on these islands among which Gulls, Terns, Marsh Harrier, Osprey Kingfisher are found in huge numbers.
The diversity of aquatic life encloses animals like dolphin, dugong and borolo and some other species. The protected areas of the park provides shelter to all endangered species of sea animals which are either extinct from the other seas or river due to the ecological imbalance.
Climate in Marine National Park
The climate of the park is normally pleasant. Summer season starts from March and extends till June. The average temperature in day time reaches up to 420c. Monsoon season extends from July to September and winter starts from October and extends till February.
Hotels & Resorts in Marine National Park
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Swimming pool
Health club 
Amphitheatre| Hotel President | |
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Hotel Has 48 rooms, all with attached bathroom & private balcony, centrally located within walking distance of the entertainment, shopping, business centres & historical Lakhota Lake. |
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Marine National Park Wildlife Packages
Marine National Park Wildlife Tour Packages-1
| Tour Name | Marine National Park Wildlife Tour |
| Duration | 06 nights & 07 days |
| Destinations Covered | Ahemdabad -Gondal-Junagarh - Somnath- Dwarka- Jamnagar- Marnine National Park- Ahmedabad |
Wildlife in Marine National Park
Vertebrates
Dugong, which resembles a seal, is an aquatic mammal and the most endangered animal of this park. The park also accommodates cetaceans such as finless porpoise, Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin, spinner dolphin and common dolphin.
Among the total 2,200 fin fish species of the country 510 (23%) are found in this highly diverse fish habitat of India. Ornamental fishes, associated with coral species belong to the family Chaetodontidae, (butterfly fish); Parrotfish, Holocentrus spp (squirrel fish), Amphiprion spp (clown fish), Lutjanus spp (snappers), Scarus spp (parrot fish), and Abudefduf saxatilis (sergeant Major) are found in plenty in this national park of Gujarat.
Invertebrates
There are around 4 species of lobster and shrimps in this park. Other significant species of aquatic creatures include 106 species of crab, 108 species of sponge, around 100 species of echinoderm among others. Of the around 466 species of mollusca found in the park, there are 271 gastropods, 5 polyplacophorans, 5 scaphopods and 16 cephalopods.
The diversity of coral is also significant as you will find 11 species from 10 genus of ahermatypes and 106 species from 30 genus of hermatypes. The reefs in this area are narrow fringing reefs which can be spotted from a distance of 150 to 300 m from the shore of the islands. The patch reefs rise from depths of 2 - 9 km and extend up to 2 km in length and 50 m in width.
Marine National Park Travel Information
Location : This wonderful park is located on the southern shore of the Gulf of Kachchh in Jamnagar District in the state of Gujarat, India.
Nearest Town : Jamnagar (7 km)
How to reach Marine National Park
Marine National Park is well connected with different parts of the country by all modes of communication.
By Air: Jamnagar is the nearest airport to Marine National Park which is around 7km away from the park.
By Rail: Jamnagar and Rajkot are the nearest railway stations to Marine National Park.
By Road: The nearest bus stop to the Marine National Park is Jamnagar.
Marine National Park Map
